PM expects EU backing on migrants' ship issue

J Martinelli

Apr 19th 2009, 23:38

@ David Zarb

Seems to me that diplomacy has won over your party's solution - a veto!

Surely, Mintoff by now, would have done it 'cowboy' style and created yet one more enemy for Malta!

Be happy - win Local Councils and one more MEP - but leave the running of the country in safe NP hands.

Joe Vella (Mellieha.)

Apr 19th 2009, 21:30

@ g c Forte

let me but it in simple terms for you then. Using the right of the veto unwisely could lead to disastrous results. Being a bully at the school yard doesn't get you nowhere in the wrong run.

I hope you and David Zarb, for that matter, understand what I mean now.

Joseph Ellis

Apr 19th 2009, 21:11

Typically, Malta wants to have the cake and eat it. We have a huge SAR area which overlaps the Italian one at several points (vide http://www.repubblica.it/popup/servizi/2009/malta/1.html). This rakes in substantial revenue from airline overflights and supports our case for an Exclusive Economic Zone. But we have not ratified the more recent maritime conventions which oblige us to take people rescued in our SAR area.

In the context of our EU obligations, I am sure that the Italian interpretation must have some substance. I also wonder whether the Maltese government has committed a faux pas when it invoked the Frontex mission. The Italians are arguing that the rules of engagement stipulate that the country invoking the mission are duty bound to take in the rescued migrants.

Whatever the case, people are suffering and even dying, not for the first time. Those Eritreans who were repatriated and died of the torture they underwent should weigh on the conscience of those who took this controversial decision, even if they belong to Opus Dei.

Malta has once again been portrayed as a country which falls short of its humanitarian duties big time.

Joanne Micallef

Apr 19th 2009, 20:10

Rai 1 news just reported that Italy will be taking in the migrants, Minister Frattini also said that Barroso did ask our Goverment to take the migrants as they where in Malta's SAR, Minister Frattini also declared that this episode did not dent the relations between Malta and Italy as this episode is more of an EU issue rather than an issue between the two countries.
So according to what Minister Frattini declared the EU did take a position, and it was not in our favour even though according to maritime law the migrants should have been taken to the nearest port, which in this case was Lampedusa.

Joe Fenech

Apr 19th 2009, 20:04

A country's duty is first and foremost the well-being of its own citizens!!!!!

K. Pullicino

Apr 19th 2009, 19:30

For heaven's sake, do something... people are dying!

T Aquilina

Apr 19th 2009, 19:06

Where is Medecins sans Frontier? Whatever the conclusion will be, these are people that need help urgently.

Simon Brincat

Apr 19th 2009, 18:42

Why doesn't the ship sail to Tunisia? That was the original route no?

David Zarb

Apr 19th 2009, 18:24

Dear Margaret Richards,

If this is the democracy that you and your party are showing us, well then, thanks God i left your party, and just to let you know, i'll take your suggestion, I wouldn't shut up my mouth :) so put your mind completely at rest.

Chris Mifsud

Apr 19th 2009, 18:24

We have absolutely no obligation to take these ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS in .

This is not our problem , but Italy's problem and if they don't like it we don't really care .

Italy , Malta and all other countries affected by this influx of illegal immigration should join forces and force to E.U to make it that the whole of Europe does not have to keep any illegal immigrants .

All illegal immigrants found at sea should just be towed back to Libya or wherever they came from .

Besides doing Malta and the rest of Europe a world of good , it will also serve as a warning to all future would be illegal immigrants that they have no place in Europe and they are risking their lives and giving their life savings to these traffickers for nothing .

It will put the traffickers out of business .

In the meantime , we should concentrate on sending ALL the illegal immigrants we have here back to where they came from .

David Zarb

Apr 19th 2009, 18:19

Dear J.Martinelli,

Although it doesn't deserve a reaction, in reaction to your comment, may I remind you that the PL wasn't vetoed in the FIRST and last MEP elections, perhaps who knows, the PL might win again, but apart from your comment, our country needs people who really put the national interest in the EU first and foremost, because unfortunately, this poor government cannot guarantee our interests and our rights in the EU, so yes, I'll proudly vote for all those on the PL ticket.

Michael Spiteri

Apr 19th 2009, 17:44

@Graham Crocker
Try convincing YOUR blood brothers to take them in.

Michael Spiteri

Apr 19th 2009, 17:40

You can expect all you want Mr. Gonzi. Italy is much more powerful than Malta and you know that unless we use our veto in the council we will have to suffer the brunt of the right wing bullies in Brussels.

J Martinelli

Apr 19th 2009, 17:37

Dear David Zarb

Your advice to start using our veto is welcomed, though it comes a bit late.

Malta has been using its veto for the last twenty two years and since your party has not changed an iota, several leaders later, Malta will continue to veto Labour for a long time yet.

Let your 'new' leader carry on advocating nonsense and his fate will be a carbon copy of his predecessor's.

Joseph Cauchi

Apr 19th 2009, 17:37

We should take this continuous saga between Malta and Italy as a blessing in disguise as this will bring to the attention of the EU and most importantly to the illegal immigrants themselves - by sending the message that they are not automatically guaranteed a safe passage to Europe- .

So let’s grab the opportunity and turn this into advantage to both Malta and Italy.

This could possibly turn the tide, hopefully!

../..

Sandro Pace

Apr 19th 2009, 17:36

There should be no compromise on this issue. Lest we want to create a dangerous precedent which will start haunting us from this summer. Malta should not be bought into anything, even if the EU gives money, or Order us to take them, or the open international obligations in question are interpreted that way.

I partly share what Mr. Zarb said, in that, on this issue, it is not what the EU want, but what WE want. There are no other options, sorry. This is an issue of life and death for our nation.

There will be a political price to pay if the government move an inch back. It shall take as long as it takes on that ship.

g.c.Forte

Apr 19th 2009, 17:33

@ Mr.Edwin Formosa.............Dak qeghed tghidu int. Go to China, the middle east, go to Germany and the U.S.A, go to Britain to Libya, go to Italy go to Russia, lets make it short, go and ask the most hard british negotiator Lord Charington( I forgot how to spell it) who did he found the harder negotiator to deal with.I wish to ask anybody this simple question. WHY THE VETO IS THERE? @ Mr. Joe Vella...........I cannot under stand what you mean. As far as I know all democratic commitees, organisations, clubs, got what is called veto, and it is there to use it when nessesary, and I strongly believe that this issue of illegal imigrants is an important issue. Today they took over that ship, I as an ex soldier can tell you that if they will have just few good leaders, they will take our country.

Joe Fenech

Apr 19th 2009, 17:23

The 'burden' should be shared between the African countries not with Europe. Stop being busy bodies: you're just making things worse. Instead of working on how to progress, Africa has actually spent its last decades begging for help and money. Too easy!!!

Margaret Richards

Apr 19th 2009, 17:11

Dear David Zarb, if you just shut your mouth, be more respectful of our Prime Minister, stop talking shop, and in this crucial time, let diplomacy take its course you'll be doing us Maltese, Italians and those immigrants aboard that ship a world of good. I get incensed at what is written in local newspapers. Objectivity is unheard of. My God!!! Don't we ever grow up and look at things from an objective point of view????

Graham Crocker

Apr 19th 2009, 17:04

David Zarb , try convince your blood brothers to take them back.

PAUL MICALLEF

Apr 19th 2009, 16:41

@Joseph Camileri
You reap what you saw. Who is to blame then? Joseph Muscat? Gonzi should say NO WE DO NOT WANT MORE EMIGRANTS we are full up, why should Italy tell us what to do? Why shouldn’t Italy turn towards EUROPE and say look this is your problem to, so please get your finger out. I blame this government for one reason only, we are run by a bunch of liars, say it to us straight, if Joseph said use the VITO use it and don’t be afraid we are all behind you on this one. As one P.N old minister once SAID, we are going to become AFRICANS if we don’t join the E.U so what have we Become?? Strangers in our own LAND.

Sandro Zahra

Apr 19th 2009, 16:14

Italy and Malta ( + all EU) should join and send the people back to Libya!

lgalea

Apr 19th 2009, 15:52

A. Pulis
I and I am sure the vast majority of the Maltese population detest your defeatist attitude.
The government has the support of the vast majority of the population not to accept the illegal immigrants and send those that are already here back to their own countries.

Joseph Camilleri

Apr 19th 2009, 15:27

Isn't it amusing how there appears to be a concerted effort to make everything the fault of 'GonziPN' ...

Joseph Camilleri

Apr 19th 2009, 15:11

@Joseph Borg.
Malta's large search & rescue zone is the legacy of Malta's past connections with the UK .. Malta never insisted with the EU in having this zone. We had it even before we joined the EU.

edwin formosa

Apr 19th 2009, 14:46

Hozza f' l- ilma mhux Gonzi imma min mela zaqqu b'Gaddafi.

David Zarb

Apr 19th 2009, 14:42

Dr. Gonzi,

WHAT? Expecting EU backing??? EPECTING? By right we MUST have EU backing. Are we beggers in the EU What are we???? WHAT A SHAME! Dear Prime Minister, if you truly want to show your credibility for once, have the guts to threat with the VETO power from the issue onwards! Or perhaps your'e all afraid not to upset any neighbour. Jiddispjacini, laqa tal-barranin kien il-Partit Nazzjonalista, min dejjem. Can't imagine what if Mintoff was in Government :) Kont ticcajta mieghu dak kieku!.

Keith Abela

Apr 19th 2009, 14:31

At this point of gridlock, it is clear that the EU as the supranational government has to step-in and decide who is right or wrong. Failure for the EU to assume its responsibilities will continue to show how much the EU lacks interest in helping us with the illegal immigration issue and how it considers us as second class EU-citizens just because of the size of our nation. Three days have passed and no action has been taken.

The situation is ridiculous, since the purpose of all SAR maritime obligations, is astray as the lives of the rescued people are still at risk. Both the Italian and Maltese Governments are now responsible for the lives of those people and definitely have to answer for the reported death of one of the rescued immigrants left helpless on-board Pinar E. With this gridlock they are further endangering the lives of the rescued immigrants, something which is intolerable to all the state of play.

Any People's lives should come before any diplomatic issue. Italy and Malta should work hand in hand to deal with the issue not pass the buck to each other. The immigrantsproblemremainsunsolved.

Mark Portelli

Apr 19th 2009, 14:28

Its simply incredible whats happening - now we are "fighting with Italy" because these victims left the libyan shores to europe - SEND THEM BACK - LIBYA is responsible for them.

Malta and Italy have to rise together to solve this issue!

Franco Xuereb

Apr 19th 2009, 14:22

How pathetic of GonziPN.
Still thinks and expect the whole of Europe to be behind Malta especially at this time in question, woke up GonziPn can't you see that all Europe is making fun of your people, when will you realize that Europe in not interested in Malta. Time after time it had showed that this problem with the influx will continue unless action is taken by repatriation, as burden sharing will not work and be accepted by the rest of Europe thus it is not the solution to the problem.

In my opinion Malta and Italy should not dispute this problem, but unite as one force and make a stop to this influx of illegal immigrants and sent them back to Libya, until such time this problem will continue.

Joe Vella (Mellieha.)

Apr 19th 2009, 13:52

@ J Azzopardi

Malta never backed from its' responsibilities on this issue even when popular opinion was against the Government. Italy should bear it's responsibilities as laid down by International Convention ad accept the legal immigrants in question.

@ g c Forte

not worth responding to wolves in sheep clothing.

A Vella

Apr 19th 2009, 13:27

@J Azzopardi- if Malta backs off on this one, from today all on, Malta will start getting all the immigrants found near Lampedusa. don t you realise? We simply can t show concern for everyone except for the Maltese. I am all out in favour of Dr Gonzi- after all, PN got the majority of votes bacause most saw potentional in him-now he is showing us that there is some after all. But mind you Dr Gonzi, EU shall be testing you-shall put you under immense pressure, and if you show weakness, Maltese will never forget, believe me and will give you a sincere evaluation in June's election, not to speak in the General one. This is the moment of truth- show that first and foremost you are accountable to the will of the majority and that Malta is no puppet of the EU. L-ghazla f'idejk. Be tough if need be. This current trend of accepting every boatload and depicting them as victims can t go on.we reached saturation point and all the country knows it.

Joseph Borg

Apr 19th 2009, 13:21

Malta insisted to have a large area of search and rescue region because it is financed by the EU
but you can't have the cake and eat it. We don't know what are the implications of managing such an activity but it is very fishy that the authorities don't say anything on the matter.

P Debono

Apr 19th 2009, 13:18

@ J Azzopardi

I don't see you volunteering to house the illegals in your own home. We are full to the brim with them and Malta just cannot hold anymore.

PM show some clout for a change. And what is the lame duck opposition's position regarding all this? I thought they considered this a "national crisis" but I don't see anything from their silence to prove that they were not lying.

A. Pulis

Apr 19th 2009, 13:16

Il-Malti jghid "Iddardarx l-ghajn li trid tixrob minnha". L-Italja ghenet hafna lil pajjizna. Nittama li jinsab kompromess u r-relazzjonijiet taghna mal-Italja ma jmorrux ghall-aghar! Zewgt ihbieb tal-qalb jitlewmu fuq haddiehor! Hekk qisna ahna u t-Taljani. Barra minn hekk nittamaw li tinstab soluzzjoni ghax fuq il-bastiment nies hemm... minkejja kollox nies li qed ibatu hemm. Soluzzjoni dejjiema rridu izda!

F Borg

Apr 19th 2009, 13:14

Well-done Malta and well-done Italy. Bravi.

Sa fl-ahhar!

If nobody takes them in, they will stop coming, they will not leave Libya and they will go back where they should always stayed. Or else they can go to Sweden or wherever they are opportunities, and not a big social economic and cultural burden.

edwin formosa

Apr 19th 2009, 13:10

Sur Forte bil-veto Mintoff sar Mintoff u Malta ma hadet xejn u giet imwarrba.

malcolm seychell

Apr 19th 2009, 12:52

Prosit fight with Italy instead of Libya.

Italy, Malta and the EU should send these illegal immigrantsall back to Libya

Edwin Mifsud

Apr 19th 2009, 12:44

"PM expects EU backing"

Hozza f' l- ilma Gonzi.

J Azzopardi

Apr 19th 2009, 12:34

It is immoral to use innocent people as bargaining chips. It is equivalent to the use of hostages as human shields. Our government should be ashamed. This is a humanitarian probelm, not a political one.

louise vella

Apr 19th 2009, 12:33

I congratulate Carm Mifsud Bonnici once again for standing firm. The crisis with illegal immigrants can be solved only if we put Malta's national interest above all other considerations.

The vast majority of the Maltese people (if they were properly consulted by a public consultation process) favour a tough, no-nonsense stand with illegal immigrants and their accomplices.

Joanne Micallef

Apr 19th 2009, 12:17

So do we Dr Gonzi, actions speak louder than words, the time has come for the EU to prove all that they have said to us in the past regarding this issue.

Anthony Formosa

Apr 19th 2009, 12:06

It's a shame two of the most catholic countries over a dispute who should help or not and people are dying on a ship. If it was a bird we would be the first to organize a flight to save it's life, but unfortunately a birds life worth more than that of a human.

Will the church / Vatican remain silent??

g.c.Forte

Apr 19th 2009, 12:05

@ P.M. What ??? "EXPECTS EU BACKING" This should be a BIG MUST or else if this government have some dignity ( OR SOMETHING ELSE) left,use the VETO on every issue from now till they accept. X` Kull wahda........il Prim irid jitlob u jistenna. anyway under GonziP.N. "kollox possibbli".

Stephen Farrugia

Apr 19th 2009, 11:56

Now, who is responsible for this crisis ? This national crisis will have a strong follow up on the responsiblities and material cost to the country.

O.Grixti

Apr 19th 2009, 11:37

Why the ship didn't took them back to Libja?
Why Malta and Italy have a dispute on whos responsability to take them and not join forces and order the ship to take them back to Libja. It is the ship responsability now if he took them aboard.
If Malta and Italy together with ships will continue helping these boats of immigrants and take them to the nearest port and not from where they left, they will continue comming.
Malta and Italy are in competition who will find them first, I Malta will find them before approuching Malta's water, so they are Italy responsability, If Italy find them first they will try to help them to enter Maltese Water.. Why this competition? Why not join and send them back ones and for all .

P Attard

Apr 19th 2009, 11:30

Let the Italian auhorities ask the migrants where they were heading when they left port and where they actually wanted to land. How can the migrants be forced to go to Malta when they never intended to come here ... even if Malta were to ignore current internaitonal practice and accept them.